Sammy Hagar Loves ‘99%’ of Aging: ‘I Still Chase My Wife Around the Bedroom’ (Exclusive)

At 77 years old, Sammy Hagar can’t do a lot of things he used to be able to do, but he’s not complaining. He loves aging.

“I love 99% of it, I really do,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively. “There’s something about being a little bit complacent in your old age saying, ‘Nah, I already did that.’ “

The rocker has had quite the career, too, as he’s had commercial success as a solo act and with groups, including Van Halen. He’s also a published author and businessman. 

“You make such better decisions in life. In my 40s, I spun more wheels. I spent more energy on [things] that I didn’t do than I do now on things that I do, and it’s just such a waste,” he continues.

“I wasted so much time and energy and money and things I could have done for other people. The older you get, I’m just more directed, so I don’t bite on things. I don’t waste people’s time.”

Hagar, who will celebrate his 30th anniversary with wife Kari next November, says it’s “kind of cool being old,” attributing it to keeping things in motion. “I’m healthy. I’m still active. I still walk on the beach. I still work out. I still sing. I still run around and dance. I still chase my wife around the bedroom.”

Still, from a career standpoint, Hagar is aware that his on-stage days are numbered, admitting that retirement has “crept into my head for 10 years.”

“I get insecure in between shows, in between tours, and I think, ‘Gee, do I still have it? Can I really still do all that?’ And I get out there, and it’s like it’s riding a bike or having sex,” he says.

“I’m going to retire when I can’t do this, when I can’t sing anymore… I’m not going to have people pay the kind of money that it costs to see these concerts these days and not deliver. So that’s where my retirement is. It’s in the hands of the higher being.”

Rest assured, however, exiting the stage isn’t happening anytime soon. On Monday, Nov. 25, Hagar announced a Las Vegas residency show, The Best of All Worlds, set to begin on April 30, 2025 at Park MGM.

The residency will reunite Sammy with Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff with a new “only in Vegas” setlist.

In Vegas, Hagar promises to rip through all his hits, but he doesn’t plan to change his pre-show ritual, which involves prayer and a little Santo tequila, the spirit brand he owns with pal Guy Fieri. 

“Mike and I start drinking 20 minutes before every show. We start drinking little tequila, just sipping,” he says. “There’s a certain time when you get a buzz. We try to go out on that high because it makes you a little bit looser and it’s more fun. I can’t explain it, but it really helps not walking out cold.”

Tickets for the following nine dates are onsale now at www.ticketmaster.com/SammyHagarVegas or RedRocker.com: April 30, 2025 and May 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 2025